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Daily Record
9 hours ago
- Business
- Daily Record
Sainsbury's announces huge change to shelves that customers may notice soon
Co-op are also due to implement the change by next year. Sainsbury's supermarkets have announced a major change that shoppers may soon notice on store shelves. The classic British supermarket has become the latest grocer to trial electronic shelf-edge labels (ESLs) in an aim to modernise its stores and improve operational efficiency. ESLs offer retailers the opportunity to update their prices in real time, which aims to reduce pricing errors and better manage promotional offers. For those who work in supermarkets, it will also save time, as paper labels will no longer need to be manually changed by staff. Speaking to the Grocer, a Sainsbury's spokesperson said that the store was trialling electronic shelf-edge labels in a small number of stores. However, they refused to share any further details on the pilot, which is being monitored for both customer experience and back-end efficiency gains. It has not yet been confirmed exactly which or how many stores will be taking place in the ESL trial, but Sainsbury's customers may soon notice the new digital labels while browsing the supermarket. The retailer began trialling the new electronic labels across three of its larger-format stores last year, including in its 'Future Store' in Witney, Oxfordshire, which was refitted in November 2023, the Express reports. The change comes as part of Sainsbury's 'Future Store' programme, which aims to modernise the supermarket's store operations and improve customer experience using digital tools. Sainsbury's is testing ESLs across a variety of its product categories, including beers, wines & spirits, health products and general merchandise, according to industry sources. The trials are said to be testing both the hardware used to display prices as well as evaluating the potential labour savings that could come from automated pricing updates. The retailer follows a number of other major UK supermarkets that have made the move towards using electronic labels in stores. Co-op recently also announced plans to add electronic labels to all of its 2,400 stores by next year. Co-op head of operations Steven Logue said: "With convenience at the heart of everything we do, Co-op is committed to continually exploring innovative technology that can improve how we operate. "The electronic labels have the potential to enhance product information and transparency, avoid paper waste, and make everyday tasks like picking online orders easier." Co-op recently fell victim to cyber attacks, along with M&S, which left store shelves empty. The chain was forced to shut down IT systems and slow deliveries after hackers attacked their servers. During the attack, the cyber criminals breached IT networks and stole customer and employee data. They claimed to have the private details of 20 million customers in Co-op's membership scheme. Although shelves were widely empty, the store has since recovered from the incident. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Wales Online
2 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Sainsbury's set to revolutionise supermarkets with major in-store change
Sainsbury's set to revolutionise supermarkets with major in-store change The supermarket are trialling the use of new digital features in stores Sainsbury's are testing whether the change will improve customer experience (Image: Getty ) Sainsbury's has joined the growing list of UK supermarkets trialling electronic shelf-edge labels (ESLs) in a bid to modernise its stores and boost efficiency. The supermarket giant began quietly testing the digital pricing technology in three of its larger-format stores late last year, including its 'Future Store' in Oxfordshire, which underwent a refit in November 2023. The move is part of a wider supermarket trend towards ESLs as a means to streamline pricing, cut labour costs, and improve accuracy on the shop floor. Speaking to The Grocer, a Sainsbury's spokeswoman said: "We are trialling electronic shelf-edge labels in a small number of our stores." However, the supermarket declined to provide further details on the pilot, which is being closely monitored for both customer experience and back-end efficiency gains. Industry insiders have revealed that Sainsbury's is testing ESLs across a range of product departments, including beers, wines & spirits, health and general merchandise. The trials are reportedly assessing both the hardware used to display prices and the potential labour savings that could be achieved through automating price displays, reports the Express. Article continues below The new technology should minimise pricing errors (Image: Getty ) Fixtures specialist Harrison Retail collaborated with Sainsbury's to develop the bespoke shelf fixings needed to support the devices. For money-saving tips, sign up to our Money newsletter here . The ESL technology itself is believed to be supplied by multiple providers, though neither Sainsbury's nor Harrison Retail shared specific details about the tech partners involved. This new way of labelling is becoming increasingly popular in the retail sector due to their ability to update pricing in real time, allowing supermarkets to swiftly respond to market changes, minimise pricing errors, and manage promotions more effectively. Sainsbury's Witney store has been leading the supermarket's trial. As part of Sainsbury's ongoing programme to modernise store operations and improve customer experience using digital tools, the supermarket has been investing in its 'Future Store' programme. Article continues below While it is still uncertain whether Sainsbury's will implement ESLs across its entire estate, these trials reflect a growing trend among UK supermarkets to digitise shelf-edge pricing. Tesco, Morrisons, and Co-op are also known to have conducted similar tests. For the time being, customers in selected stores may notice the sleek new screens slowing replacing traditional paper tags.
